Metallic rail-tie cover.



M. B. EDWARDS. METALLIC RAH. 'HE COVER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15. 1914,

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

UNETE STATE PATEYTFFEQE.

MARCELLUS B. EDWARDS, 01? CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

METALLIC .BAIlZ -TIE COVER.

messes.

Application filed June 15, 1914.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, li JTARCELLUS B. ED- WARDS, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful lmpromments in Metallic Rail-Tie Covers, of wiich the following is a specification.

lily invention relates to new and useful improvements in rail ties and more particularly to a metallic cover designed to incase a rail tie in such manner that the durability and strength of the metallic tie is embodied in the tie in combination with its resiliency.

Another object is to provide a cover that is open on one side its entire length so that the wooden tie may be positioned within the cover and protected at its sides, top and end or in other words its exposed surfaces so that burning of the ties is obviated, and spreading of the rails prevented as well.

Another object is to provide a cover that has novel means to securely hold the rails in position so that spreading or creeping there of is prevented and is simple as to construction and durable.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particularly pointed out as claimed.

With reference to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the l referred embodiment of my invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cover, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a wooden rail tie with my improved cover thereon and showing the rails held in clamped position.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates as an entirety my improved metallic cover and 2 a wooden rail tie of the ordinary construction.

My improved cover consists of a top 3, end walls i and side walls 5 and is rectangular to conform to the shape of the tie 2 and open along its entire bottom so that it may receive the tie.

My device is preferably constructed of sheet steel but may be formed of any other material that is fire-proof. The cover is designed to fit snugly over the tie 2 so as to in- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 256, 1916.

Serial no. 845,290.

case the sides, end and top thereof. The top wall 3 of the cover is provided adjacent each end with a plurality of openings 3, the said openings at each end being arranged in rows and the said rows being extended in intersecting planes as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

ltiveted at each end of the top wall 3 is an angular rail clamping member 6 consisting of an arcuate rail base engaging plate 7 and a rectangular base plate 8 that is riveted as described. Secured by a bolt 9 so as to be removable, to the body plate 8 of each of the members 6 is an angular rail clamping member 10 that is designed to cooperate with each of the plates 7 in clamping a rail. The member 10 consists of a rectangular base plate and an angular rail base engaging plate.

It will be readily seen that wooden rail ties of a bridge or trestle when equipped with my improved covers will be fully protected against fire caused by sparks which are often dropped from engines, and also against the elements to such an extent that the life of the tie is materially increased and the rails are supported and held in a more reliable manner.

Spikes 11 are driven through the top wall 3 of the side of the member 6 and into the tie 2 to firmly hold the cover to the tie. The body plates 8 are formed with lugs 12 on the sides thereof and apertured to receive the spikes 11, thus rigidly holding the members 6 to the tie.

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most efficient and practical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as set forth.

What is claimed is The combination with a rail tie, of a cas ing fitted over the tie, rail-securing members mounted on the upper side of the casing and each consisting of an elongated base plate having openings therein and having one end provided with a rail-clamping member integrally formed therewith and having one end overlying certain of the openings,

fastening elements extending through thelast-inentioned openings and through the casing and engaging in the tie, apertured lugs formed on the base plate and extending laterally therefrom and located at the point of juncture between the base plate and the rail-clamping member, fastening elements extending through the lugs and the easing and engaging in the tie, a second elongated plate overlying the first-mentioned plate and hav ing openings therein registering With certain of the openings in the first-mentioned plate,

fastening elements extending through the registering openings in the plates, the said last-mentioned plate having one end pro vided With a rail-clamping vmember arranged in spaced relation With the clamping member on the first-mentioned plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MAR-CELLUS B. EDlVAR-DS.

lVitnesses JOHN T. GRosn, M. C. GRESHAM.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0." 

